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Have you ever wanted to know what a painter might think of your house if one were to walk through the front door? Whether you are hosting a casual dinner party or having a contractor over for an estimate, pros naturally evaluate the craftsmanship of the spaces around them, and they might be evaluating your paint job.
“Professional painters always have an eye for detail; it’s not something we can turn off,” explains Jason Card, senior vice president of operations for Paintzen in Woburn, Massachusetts. “It is hard not to notice homeowner DIYed paint projects and common mistakes when visiting other people’s homes.” We asked Card to share the five most noticeable paint-related issues he sees during his off-hours as a guest in people’s homes.
Skipping the Ceiling
When repainting a room, make sure to include the ceiling as well as the walls. Freshly painted walls look clean and updated, so if you leave the ceiling alone, it will end up looking dingy. “It is much harder to go back and paint the ceiling after the walls have been repainted,” explains Card. “Always plan to include (and start with) repainting the ceiling when repainting a room.”
Using the Incorrect Tool for the Job
While you may be trying to save money during a renovation, avoid using cheap paint brushes or roller covers. Inadequate tools can leave you with an undesirable result, and end up costing you more to redo the work, warns Card. “Using top-quality brushes and rollers is worth the investment, leaving a clean finish that can help make the paint stand out.”
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Buy NowImproper Prep
The preparation process really influences the final product, says Card. “Freshly painted walls can highlight imperfections because the paint makes the walls pop.” He recommends properly cleaning, sanding, and fixing imperfections in the drywall before applying a fresh coat of paint, while recognizing that many people underrate the importance of taking these steps. “As a professional painter, I can tell right away when walls weren’t properly readied for painting.”
Using the Wrong Paint
The pros know what type of paint or sheen to use on different surfaces. “DIYers often choose the wrong paint for the project—and it shows,” notes Card. “Regular semi-gloss paint isn’t meant for all painting projects; for example, doors and cabinets should always be refreshed with semi-gloss urethane enamel for a more durable finish.”
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Buy NowPoorly Stained Decks
Staining decks is a trickier DIY project than most realize, and can quickly become a painting faux pas. “It’s important to prep the wood by sanding it so the fresh stain upgrades the appearance of the deck instead of highlighting flaws in the wood,” says Card. Another important detail that homeowners often miss involves keeping a wet edge while staining so the product doesn’t dry too quickly and create ‘lap marks,’ he explains.
